Overview
Employment questions are not just about one employee. They impact the business generally. Johanna’s goal is to address employment questions comprehensively and find solutions that work for the business.
Johanna’s practice involves representing and counseling management clients in a wide range of complex employment matters, including claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and comparable state law. She also handles wage and hour class and collective matters, and matters involving noncompetition agreements and trade secrets. Johanna practices in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies and arbitrators. Her litigation experience ranges from single plaintiff cases to large class actions.
Johanna values her relationships with her clients and understanding of their business. Johanna regularly provides day-to-day counseling regarding employment-related matters and compliance issues, such as personnel management, leaves and accommodations, employment policies and handbooks, discipline issues, investigations, severance and release agreements, and corporate reorganizations and reductions in force. She also conducts investigations of employee complaints, including complaints of harassment.
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Experience
Represented Shearer’s Foods, LLC in putative nationwide collection action pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Rule 23 class action pursuant to the Ohio Minimum Fair Wage Standards Act. Plaintiffs alleged that they were not paid for pre-shift off-the-clock and rest breaks. Benesch prevailed on a motion and was able to avoid precertification of the class which resulted in negotiating a nuisance value settlement as to the individual plaintiffs, and the entire case was voluntarily dismissed.
Secured dismissal of complaint in state court by former employee alleging age discrimination and retaliation.
Secured dismissal of overtime claims in putative class action under California wage and hour law as well as related PAGA action.
Secured dismissal of race discrimination claim in arbitration.
Secured dismissal of complaint in federal court alleging claims of disability discrimination and retaliation.
Secured summary judgment in $450M breach of contract claim.
Secured summary judgment in alleged hybrid 301 claim concerning transfer rights.
Secured favorable settlement of FLSA and Ohio law collective action.
Secured dismissal of a purported nationwide class action alleging breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty concerning change to retiree medical benefits.
Secured summary judgment in case alleging breach of CBA.
Secured dismissal of case brought by 255 individuals alleging claims under ERISA and Ohio common law concerning alleged communications about their pension benefits.
Successfully negotiated and secured Court approval for multiple class action settlements alleging violations of California wage and hour laws and/or PAGA.
Successfully negotiated exits of multiple C-suite leaders.
No results found
Credentials
Education
- magna cum laude
- Associate Coordinator, Law Review
- Labor & Employment Law Award,
- Order of the Coif
- summa cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa
Clerkships and Bar Admissions
More
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® 2021, 2023-2026: Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management
- Listed, Benchmark Litigation, Labor & Employment Star, 2020-2024
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